Good tips there Vitalmyles.
I've got around 300 transactions and a feedback score of 245 (99.6%) on Ebay.
My advice is to read the auction text (all of it)closely, look carefully at the photo's (having experience with what you are buying helps so you know the troubles to look for like finish cracks and repair work done on guitar necks, bodies, etc.) and ask specific questions. If you ask is "everything all right with it?" the seller can say "as far as I know yes." This allows them to sell something flawed intentionally or not. If instead you ask "is there a crack in the neck pocket finish, do the electronics work as they are supposed to, are the pickups stock?" These types of questions are specific and if they are falsified intentionally or otherwise with your saved emails you can get a refund through buyer protection provided by Ebay or Paypal. Ask questions.
Bidding tip: You guys can't use this to out bid me or share with everyone that you know. OK? Don't bid even dollars or at $.50 intervals. Everyone does. Bid in 6's. Instead of $5.50 bid $5.66 or $6.66. That way the next bid will have to go over the next even dollar mark to win and for some reason people are reluctant to do that.
Also if you really want an item - snipe it. Wait until the last moment that you can get your bid in usually between 30-60 seconds left and for the amount that you are willing to spend. That way other bidders won't have enough time to incrementally try to outbid you.
Don't forget to figure shipping into the total you are going to pay for your item. I've shipped guitars to each coast and have a good idea of what shipping actually costs. Stay away from guys charging $40-$60 for shipping a guitar. Ground rates from one coast to the other is around $25 or less for a boxed guitar without a hard case. Slightly higher with a case.
I've only had one bad deal. Someone with a -5 feedback tried to shaft me. They are no longer on Ebay.Rule: Don't sell to people with negative feedback. You can set your preferences to allow only bidders with good feedback.
Watch out for emails asking you to allow the sender to be added to your bidders list. This is "fishing" and they will hack into your account if you reply and possibly cost you money or steal from you. It is illegal.
If you are comfortable with and the seller will allow it use US Postal money orders. It takes more time but if you get shafted it becomes a Federal Offense because the transaction took place through the mail.
Gotta go now and check My Ebay. Ta ta.
"No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi
Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.